The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-01
Memorial Of w. -. Richardson,
Pm n

The Rev. Wilson Gains Richard
son, Phi. d., was born December 8,
1926, in Maysville, KY.
He was the youngest son of Capt.
Thomas Gains and Sarah perry
Richardson, the former a native of
Madison. the latter of Culpepper
county, Va.
In 1888 he removed with his par
ents to Tuscaloosa, Ala, where he
became a student and graduated with
houors in 1874.
He was then engaged in this insti-
tuition as teacher Of ancient Ian
guages for four years and half.
In 1850 he resigned his position as
professor that he might visit Europe,
where he prosecuted his studies and
travelled excessively.
When he returned to this country
he was called to the proiessorship of
modern languages in the University
Of Mississippi.
About year after entering upon
his duties in this institution, and
during a season Of gracious revival
in the Presbyterian Church at Ok
ford, he was brought to accept of
Christ as his Savior and united with
the church.
In 1856 he was united in marriage
to Miss Louisa daughter of the Rev.
Robert (Bush) Kennonl, of Tusca-
loosa, Ala.
When the late war came on, he en-
listed as a private soldier in the
Southern army, was wounded in the
engagement at Mobile Bay, taken a
prisoner, and carried to Ship Island,
where he remained prisoner until
the close of the war, when he again
assumed his chosen profession, and
taught in some of the leading insti
buttons of the South,
While professor in Central Uni
versity, Kentucky, he was called to
mourn the death of his loving Chris
tian wife, who left him with seven
children to mourn her death.
As to scholarship he stood high,
and was favorably known by many
leading scholars in New England,
Germany and France, in the univer-
sites of which latter countries he
had pursued his studies with great
| success.
Previous to his entry into the Cos
pel ministry his life and labors were
| devoted to teaching and the pursuits
of ancient philology, more particu-
| larlv Latin. While professor in Cen
trail University, Kentucky, he was
united in marriage to his second vile
Mrs. Ann (Herring) McAiee, a ma
tive of Virginia, and educated al
Stanton, Va, who is now lett to
mourn his death. Previous to his
entering the ministry he was ruling
| elder in the Presbyterian Church,
For many years it seems that he had
, been impressed with feeling that il
was his duty to preach the gospel
Feeling more aud more that he wa.
called to preach, and having keer
sense of his obligations to duty, hi
gave up his favorite pursuit as teach
err and at the age Of 50 entered thu
Theological College at Princeton, N
j.. where he pursued his theological
studies until he was prepared tt
preach the gospel.
In 1884 he was licensed to preacl
nv the Brunswick Presbytery, and il
September Of the same year received
| into the Presbytery of Memphis and
ordained to the full work of the min
istry.
Soon after he was ordained he wal
installed as pastor over the churches
Mt Stanton and Dancyville, Tenn.
where he labored faithfully and &C
ceptably until his decease.
To all appearances he had fail
prospects for many years yet to la
bor. He was a man of unusua
strength aud vitality for one of hi
age but with all this, death cam
and fixed its unrelentiug grasp upor
him, and all the medical skill tina
could be command RI could not pro
long his life,
he entered the ministry at the elev
enth hour he heard the well done
thou good aud faithful servant; ente
tbon into the JOY of the Lord"
Oo Saturday, July Sd, he was takel
with severe illness, (congestive chilli
and rapidly grew worse until Mon
day. July 9th, when his spirit wen
to God, Who gave it Thus passe'